Latest News on Leaky Homes

Councils could end up in court for approving leaky buildings

Published on 31 October 2017

Councils who signed off on leaky buildings could find themselves in the firing line if a planned class action suit goes ahead.

Auckland law firm Adina Thorn Lawyers has funding from a UK-based litigation funder to take a class action against councils that inspected or improved leaky or failed buildings within the last 10 years.

More time to join class action for leaky home owners

Published on 15 September 2017

More leaky-building owners – many from the east Auckland – will have the chance to join a self-funded class action against James Hardie after the Court of Appeal released a judgment today upholding the representative action and extending opt-in periods from two and 10 weeks to five months.

An anonymous global litigation funder has breathed life into a leaky homes lawsuit against Carter Holt Harvey which has been batting around for more than a year.

The class action against the building products firm for supplying Shadowclad weatherboard cladding alleges the material is responsible for causing leaks and warping. Auckland lawyer Adina Thorn said the "David and Goliath" lawsuit struggled to find claimants to shoulder funding, so having a funder who would take 25 to 35 per cent of the total settlement moved things forward.

Timber treatment a public debate, says mill owner

Partially treated framing timber could be allowed into the building industry with the Government's blessing, an industry boss says.

Untreated timber has been banned for framing since 2003 after the rules were relaxed in 1995, prior to the leaky building crisis.

Marty Verry, chief executive of leading mill Red Stag, said that the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) was considering allowing "envelope treated" timber in a review of timber treatment standards.